The new two-story Anna Maria Island Community Center had its official opening - twice, in fact - with a private, invitation-only Friday night party to recognize donors and patrons of the facility, and a day-long Saturday celebration for the public that also featured a finale to the soccer season Saturday and Sunday.

While the Center is not yet fully up and running with all the programs it promises to offer, it hopes to be in full swing by the winter holidays.

“The new building is a result of many people’s commitment to making this a better place,” executive director Pierrette Kelly has said.

With the opening, the Center increased its fees for membership and program participation. “We had a musty gym and a single meeting room,” Kelly said. “Now, with what we have to offer, I am not apologetic about our fees.”

The just-completed building is not completely funded, and Kelly said the board is still looking to raise $700,000 from private donors and grants.

Operating costs for the new building are an unknown, Kelly said, but she pointed out that the previous facility was 10,000 square feet and the new facility is 24,500 square feet.

The increase in membership fees helps with the upkeep of the facility.

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